The Lumba Sumba Pass Trek is a newly discovered trekking destination in Nepal’s eastern region. It is located between two of Nepal’s most famous areas: the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and the Makalu Barun National Park. The highest point on this trek is the Lumba Sumba Pass, which stands 5,177 meters above sea level.
Experience biological diversity with the locality of different ethnic groups such as the Tamangs, Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Magars, and Newars, following their indigenous cultures and traditions, as well as the monasteries, chortens, temples, and prayer wheels. You will also see spectacular mountain views, including the majestic Lumba Sumba peak and mountain lakes adorned with mountainous scenery. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the endangered Snow Leopard and Red Panda.
The trek begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Suketar, via Nepalgunj. From there, you’ll begin trekking to Phunling, Mithlung, Chiruwa, Lelep, Ella Danda, Selep Kharka, Olangchung Gola, Sanjung Kharka Camp, Pass Camp, Chauri Kharka, Thudam Kharka, Chyamtang, Hatiya, Gola, Hedangna Gadhi, and Num. You will drive from Num to Khandari and then fly from Tumlingtar airport to Kathmandu.
SPECIAL OFFER: UPPER MUSTANG TREK
After arriving in Kathmandu, our office representative will pick you up from the airport and welcome, assist, and transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon, you may rest as you might be having jet lag, and later on, visit the Asian Heritage office to get more insights about your trek. Furthermore, you can stroll around the local streets of Thamel and explore the city.
Accommodation: an overnight stay at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
We will start our Lumba-Sumba Pass trek with a flight to Bhadrapur. Make sure to get a right-sided seat in the plane since this side offers a view of the magnifying snow-clad mountains in the northeast. The flight will take you around 40 minutes to reach Bhadrapur, and from there, if you fly to Suketar on the same day, the second flight duration will be around 30 minutes.
Once you reach Suketar, check out from the domestic airport, and then you will start hiking to Phungling. Phungling hosts inhabitants of the mixed castes of Newar, Chhetri, Tamang, Brahmin, and Sherpa, and it is the headquarters of the Taplejung district. Explore the village and check in at the lodge to have some rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
After having breakfast, your trek starts from Phungling to Mithlung. Firstly, you will walk through the Sherpa village, which is the gateway to this trek. After some decent walking, you will pass through beautiful cardamom fields and alnus trees (Uttis) until you reach the Hangdewa village development committee, which takes around two and a half hours. On the way, there are small tea shops at Asangpati Junction.
From Panisar, the trek is downhill to reach the suspension bridge that acts as a border between the Hangdewa village development committee and the Furumba village development committee. Walk for 10 minutes and reach Pawa Village (1546 m), where you will have your lunch. After lunch, the trek progresses along the bank of the Tamor River and descends all the way to Mithlung. Once you reach Mithlung, check in to the lodge and have some rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
You will have your breakfast in Mithlung and start trekking toward Chiruwa. The trek passes along the banks of the Tamor River and offers a pleasant walk until you reach Furumba. From Furumba, the trail is uphill for half an hour before it descends through Ulnus and Schema Wallachian mixed forests to Siwa Bazar (950 m), located in the Linkhim village development committee. Siwa Bazar is a small market with facilities like a drug store, groceries, and a police station.
After lunch, the trek runs along the Tamor River until Tawa village and then turns uphill to reach the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Project entrance gate (1300 m) in Thiwa Village. From here, the trek will gradually descend until Chiruwa. Chiruwa is a small market with a couple of lodges. After reaching Chiruwa, you check in at the lodge and have some rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
Have your breakfast and proceed to your destination, Lelep. Walking from Chiruwa to Lelep begins with a walk along the Tamor River’s bank. This bank displays two large stones with religious significance. After walking for two and a half hours from Chiruwa through beautiful cardamom gardens, you will arrive at Tapethok (1340 m), where you will have lunch. It’s a small market with several tea shops. After lunch, it’s a pleasant walk to Pembu (1486 m). From Pemba, climb uphill to Lelep. After arriving in Lelep, check into the lodge and rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
On the sixth day of the Lumba-Sumba Pass Trek, travel through a dense forest teeming with diverse wildlife. Descend to a riverbank, cross a suspension bridge, and climb through a pine forest to reach a monastery. Then, descend to Gowatar village for breathtaking views of two 100-meter-tall waterfalls. Reach Phedi, cross the Tamor River, and ascend for 45 minutes to Chautaroo, a local rest stop. After a brief rest, continue for 20 minutes to Ella Danda, which provides panoramic views of Kasturi Peak and the Tamor River. Check into the lodge for some much-needed rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
Have your breakfast and prepare to begin your hike with Ella Danda. For about an hour, the trail winds through an ulnus and rhododendron forest before arriving at a suspension bridge. After crossing the suspension bridge, the path leads through dense bamboo groves. The location is popular among trekkers because it is the home of the red panda. If you’re lucky, you might see a red panda along the trail.
After a three and a half-hour walk from Ella Danda, you will arrive at Maguwa, where you will take a short break for lunch. After you finish your lunch, you will resume your hike. The trail leads through maple and ulnus forests. After walking for nearly half an hour, you will arrive at Selep Kharka. Check in at the lodge and get some rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
After breakfast, you will begin your trek to Olangchung Gola from Selep Kharka. After an hour of walking, your trail will take you along the Tamor River’s bank to Jongim (2641m), a flat area surrounded by snow-capped hills. From Jongim, you will descend to the riverbank, cross the suspension bridge, and then ascend to Ramite (2685 m) for lunch.
Ramite features a mixed forest of deodar and rhododendron, as well as a stunning view of the waterfall. After about 45 minutes of walking, you will catch your first glimpse of Olangchung Gola and eventually arrive. Olangchung Gola is a beautiful Sherpa settlement where you can visit a 465-year-old monastery with a golden manuscript, explore the monastery and its surroundings, and relax in the lodge.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
After breakfast in Olangchung Gola, you will start walking through the entire wilderness to Upper Langmale. Along the way, piles of stones serve as markers, directing you to your next destination, Sanjung Kharka. The trail leads through pine and rhododendron forests. After about two and a half hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at Jadak (3636 m) for your lunch break. After lunch in Jadak, you will walk for approximately 3 hours to today’s final destination, Upper Langmale (3893 m).
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
After having breakfast, today’s path will lead you along the bank of the Tamor River. On the other side of the river, you can see a dense forest of rhododendrons. If fortune favors you, then there is a high chance of seeing a snow leopard on this trail. After hiking for three hours, you will reach Tangchetar (4203 m) for your lunch and a short break. After your lunch, you will continue hiking for around three more hours to reach your final destination, Pass Camp.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
Today is the most difficult yet most memorable day of this trek. You will pass through Lumba Sumba Peak by climbing up and again walking down. It is better to bring a packed lunch, as there are no good camping sites around. After walking for about four and a half hours past camp, you will climb Lumba Sumba Peak and descend to Chaurikharka for tonight’s stay.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
Following breakfast, you begin hiking from ChauriKharka. The trek takes you all the way downhill from Chaurikharka. Today, you will return to a human settlement after a three-day walk. After about three and a half hours of walking, you will come to a point where you can see two routes. One leads to Lhasa, Tibet, while another leads to Thudam.
You will eat your lunch at this location. From here, you’ll hike for another three hours to Thudam. Thudam is a small village with approximately 30 Sherpa-built houses. Check into the lodge and relax for a while. If you are interested, you can explore the village area later.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
After your breakfast, get ready to hike towards your next destination, Kharka. Today, your trek starts along the banks of Chujung Khola. The trail offers a panoramic view of multiple peaks in the Makalu range. On the way, you can see small bushes and bamboo groves, which are the favorite habitat for the red panda.
If you are lucky enough, then you can witness this endangered species on this route. It is better to carry a packed lunch with drinking water, as it is difficult to find drinking water along the trail. After hiking for six hours from Thudam, you will reach Kharka, where you will stay for the night.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
From Chyamtang, the trail passes through a dense rhododendron forest. You will not find any villages along the way. After walking for three hours, you will reach a place called Chaurikharkaa, where you will have your lunch. From Chaurikharka, you can see Chyamtang, the Arun River, Ridha Village, and the trail that leads to Kimathanka. From here, the trek is all downhill for about three hours until you reach the Arun River.
After crossing the suspension bridge over the river, you again have to ascend uphill for about an hour until Chyamthang. Your destination for the day. Chyamthang is a small village where the Sherpa people are the dominant population. Check in at the lodge and have some rest. Later on, you can explore the village if you’re interested.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in an available local lodge.
After having breakfast in the camp, you will start walking for Hatiya. The trail is easy and passes through rhododendron forests in the Arun Valley, which is home to several bird species. Hike for about two and a half hours from Chyamthang, and the trail takes us to Glimber Village (1585 m), where you will have your lunch. The village offers a spectacular view of snowcapped peaks in the Makalu range.
From Gimber, the walk is easy, and after hiking for about three hours, you will reach Hatiya. Hatiya is a small village of Bhote people and is the entry point to Makalu National Park. After reaching your camping place, have some rest in your camp and later explore the area.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in a tent camp.
After breakfast, you will begin trekking along the Arun River’s bank for approximately two and a half hours until you reach the confluence of the Arun and Barun rivers. You’ll have lunch over here. After lunch and a short break, you’ll begin ascending towards Gola.
A walk of about two and a half hours. Gola is a small village of 12 houses. Sherpa, Rai, and Tamang people live here. It is a typical village where you can observe native people living the old way, explore the village, and then rest in your tent.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in a tent camp.
Have breakfast and begin trekking through paddy fields, indicating that you are now in the lowlands. You will descend and ascend multiple times. After two and a half hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at Pathibhara (1524 meters). You will take a short break here and eat lunch. Pathibhara is a small Gurung village that includes tea shops, groceries, and a few hotels.
Following lunch, the trail passes through agricultural land before arriving at Gadhi (1800 m), where there are numerous water sources and small settlements. The journey from Pathibhara to Gadhi will take approximately three hours. Gadhi is an important historical site because the Nepali Army bravely fought and chased away the invading Tibetan Army here. Gadi is a small village market that includes a health clinic, a school, and a police station.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in a tent camp.
Today is the final day of your journey. Have breakfast and begin your trek to Num, which will take approximately two and a half hours. The trek from Gadi to the Arun River takes about an hour downhill. After some gradual walking, you’ll cross the river on a suspension bridge before climbing uphill for about an hour and a half to reach Num village (1572 meters).
Because Num is connected to the motorable road, you will have to drive to Khandbari, the district headquarters of the Sankhuwasabha district. Khandbari can be reached after four to five hours of off-road driving. After arriving in Khandbari, check into the lodge and rest.
Accommodation: an overnight stay in a local lodge.
After breakfast, pack your bags and transfer to Tumlingtar Airport for your flight to Kathmandu. When flying back to Kathmandu, select a seat on the left side of the plane. From the left side, you can see the majestic mountains standing tall from north to east, with their shining snowcaps.
When you arrive in Kathmandu, our office representative will greet and assist you, and they will transfer you to your hotel. After arriving at the hotel, check in and relax for a while. Later in the afternoon, you can visit the Asian Heritage office to share your trekking experiences, or you can stroll through Thamel’s streets and other nearby areas.
Accommodation: an overnight stay at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
You will be leaving Nepal tomorrow, so today is your free day in Kathmandu. You can rest and relax, go shopping, and explore Kathmandu. Thamel has many shopping malls and shops where you can buy souvenirs, handicrafts, and tokens of Nepali love for your friends and family.
Thamel has many restaurants and pubs where you can eat good food while listening to live music, or you can visit the Garden of Dreams, which is one of the best places to spend time reading books and exploring the fountains and garden. At the end of the day, you can return to the hotel and rest. This is the end of your Lumba-Sumba Pass trek.
Accommodation: an overnight stay at Yatri Suites & Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Your trip will come to an end today. After breakfast, our representative will pick you up with a private van and drop you off at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport approximately three hours before your scheduled flight back to your home or other destination.
Have a safe journey onward, and we look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
